2.

What are you going Estimating with Fractions

to learn?
• To estimate Suppose you need to go somewhere or to buy
fractions
• To add fractions
something. Do you need a tool to calculate the time
• To subtract
needed to go there? Do you need to know the exact
fractions .
• To multiply fractions time? If not, what will you do?
• To divide fractions.

Key Terms: As in integers, the computational results of fractions

Add, subtract, multiply,
can be estimated by rounding off or using
divide, estimate,
product, quotient, like compatible numbers.
fraction, unlike
fraction, proper,
improper fraction 1
a. Rounding to 0, , or 1
2
We can estimate the result of addition and
1
subtraction by rounding each fraction to 0, , or 1.
2

7 4
EXAMPLE 1 If I have of a bar and you give me more of a
8 9
bar, estimate how long I have altogether.

Solution:
7 4 1 7 4
Since is close to 1 and is close to , then +
8 9 2 8 9
1 1
approximates 1 + = 1 . So, I have approximately
2 2
1
1 bars.
2

Problem 1 Find two fractions which their sum is close but not

Mathematics for Junior High School - Year 7 / 61

 equal to 1.

1 2 7 5
4 3 8 8
1 1 3 5
2 10 4 10
3 1 5 9
8 8 12 10
7 3 1 7
12 10 3 10

b. Rounding to the nearest integer

If an addition, subtraction, multiplication, or

division involves a mixed number, we can estimate a
logical result by rounding each operand to the
nearest integer.

1 1
Estimate the result of 8 -4
EXAMPLE 2 6 2
Solution:
1 1
8 can be rounded to 8 and 4 can be rounded to 5.
6 2
1 1
Therefore, 8 – 5 = 3 approximates 8 -4
6 2

Write a story problem based on the expression of

Problem 2 Example 2.

c. Using compatible numbers

To estimate the quotient of mixed numbers,
compatible numbers are frequently used, especially

62 / Student’s Book – Fractionss

 for mental calculation.

1 7
Estimate the result of 43 :5
EXAMPLE 3 4 8
Solution:
1 7
Well, it will 43 : 5 can be estimated by using compatible
be easier if I 4 8
divide 42 by
6 1 7
numbers. Round 43 to 42 and 5 to 6.
4 8
1 7
Then 42 : 6 = 7 approximates 43 :5 .
4 8

Adding and Subtracting Fractions

Erna and Wati bought sliced bread, which
consists of 8 equal pieces. While they sat down in
1
the backyard, Erna ate part of the bread, and
8
3
Wati ate of it. How many parts of the bread did
8
they eat?

To answer this question, let us carry out the Mini

Lab on the next page.

In this Mini Lab, we know that

1 + 3 = 4 or 1 .
8 8 8 2

Therefore, Wati and Erna have eaten 1 of the

2
bread. Do the activities in the Mini Lab to find
1 + 3 and 1 + 3 , and so on.
6 6 5 5

Mathematics for Junior High School - Year 7 / 63

 Mini-Lab

Work in Pairs
Materials and Tools: millimeter blocks, ruler, drawing pencils (at least
two colors)

Add 1 to 3 .
8 8
 Draw bar on the millimeter blocks as shown in the following figure. Each part
of this bar illustrates the one-eight.

 Color one part of the bar to represent 1 . Using di fferent color, shade three
8
parts of the bar to illustrate 3 .
8
Discuss the following questions.
a. How many parts of the bar that are colored?
b. What fraction represents the number of uncolored parts?
c. If you color the two other parts of the bar, what fraction illustrates the
number of uncolored parts?

Based on the examples, we have the procedure to

add like fractions.

Adding Like Fractions

To add like fractions, add the numerators, while
the denominators remain unchanged

Apply the procedure to solve the following

example.

Add 3 to 4 .
5 5

3 + 4 = 3+ 4
5 5 5

64 / Student’s Book – Fractionss

 3 + 4 = 7
5 5 5
64748 = 12
5

12
5

Subtracting Like Fractions

Tini found 5 parts of a cake on the table. Then she
8

ate 1 part of the cake. What part of the cake

8
remained?

5 − 1 = 5 − 1 = 4 or 1
8 8 8 8 2

Therefore, the cake that was left was 1 .

2

Based on the example, write the procedure to

subtract like fractions, then use the procedure to
solve the problem below.

Subtracting Like Fractions

………………………………………………………..
………………………………………………………...
…………………………………………………………

Problem 3 There were three-fourths of a watermelon on the

table. Then you ate one-fourth. How many parts of
the watermelon remained?

Mathematics for Junior High School - Year 7 / 65

 (Relation with the Real World)

Mr. Salmeto had 5 drum of kerosene. His

6
neighbour bought this kerosene so that the amount

of kerosene in the drum was now 3 drum. How

6
What number many drums of kerosene did Mr. Salmeto’s
should be added
to 3 to get 5 ? neighbour buy?
6 6

You could do the problem in the following way.

5 - ..... = 3
6 6

Solution:
5 - 2 = 3 , so we know that Mr. Salmeto’s
6 6 6

neighbour had bought 2 or 1 drum of kerosene.

6 3

Adding and Subtracting Unlike

Fractions
1
Ani read a novel. Two days ago, she finished
4
2
of the book. Today she continued reading of
3
the book. What parts of the novel has Ani read?

To answer this question, you need to add unlike

fractions and may use fraction bars.

How many parts of the novel has Ani read?

66 / Student’s Book – Fractionss

 Add 1 to 2 .
EXAMPLE 6 4 3

←⎯ bar for 1
4
.
←⎯ bar for 23 .

←⎯ Find the bar for

the sum.

1 + 2 = 11 or 1 + 2 = 3 + 8 = 3 + 8 = 11
4 3 12 4 3 12 12 12 12

Thus, Ani has read 11 parts of the book.

12

EXAMPLE 7 Solve 1 − 1 using fraction bars.

2 3
←⎯ bar for 63 or 12

←⎯ bar for 62 or 13 .

←⎯ Subtract: 63 − 62 .

1 − 1 = 3 − 2 = 3− 2 = 1
2 3 6 6 6 6

Based on Example 6 and Example 7, it is clear

that to add or subtract unlike fractions, you have
to convert the fractions to like fractions first by
using the Least Common Multiple (LCM) of the
denominators.

Mathematics for Junior High School - Year 7 / 67

 Find the sum of 1 + 2 .
EXAMPLE 8 4 7

Since the LCM of 4 and 7 is 28, then

1 = 1x 7 = 7
4 4 x 7 28

2 = 2x4 = 8
7 7 x 4 28

1 2 7 8 15
and + = + =
4 7 28 28 28

Adding Mixed Numbers

Before you proceed to adding mixed numbers, do

the following activities.

• Take some pieces of rope 2 1 cm, 1 1 cm, 4 1 cm, 3 1 cm, and

4 2 10 8
3
5 cm in length.
4
• Put two ropes in such a way that the end of the first rope
touches the end of the second rope.
• Take a pair of ropes. Estimate the sum of the length of the
two ropes, and then add them. Write down an expression for
this addition.
• Repeat step 1 for some other pairs of ropes.
• Check each of the expression by measuring the whole
lengths for each pair of ropes.

One of the methods to add mixed numbers is to

calculate the whole parts and the fraction parts
separately. Sometimes the sum of the fraction
parts is an improper fraction. If so, first convert
the improper fraction to a mixed number.

68 / Student’s Book – Fractionss

 EXAMPLE 9 Find the result of 15 3 + 3 1 .
4 2

15 3 = 15 3
4 4 The LCM is 4. Express it as
like fractions.
1 ×2
31 = 3 = 32
2 2× 2 4
Add the whole parts
= 18 5 and the fraction parts.
4

= 18 + 1 1 Convert the fraction.

4
5 = 4 + 1 =1 1
4 4 4 4
= 19 1
4
Add the whole parts.

Subtracting Mixed Numbers

Sometimes, you need to change the form of
fractions before you subtract them.

EXAMPLE 10 Calculate 6 1 - 4 1
3 2

Express it as like fractions

61 - 41 = 62 - 43
3 2 6 6
Convert the fraction part.
= 58 - 43 6 2 = 5 + 12 = 5 8 .
6 6 6 6 6
Subtract the whole parts
= 15
6 th en the fraction parts

Thus, 6 1 - 4 1 = 1 5 .
3 2 6

Mathematics for Junior High School - Year 7 / 69

 Multiplying and Dividing
Fractions
Before operating fractions, do the following activity.

Activities
1. Take a piece of paper and cut the paper into two equal
parts. What fraction represents each part?
2. Take one of the parts. Then, cut it into two equal parts.
What fraction represents each part?
3. Take one of the parts. What fraction represents each part?

a. Multiplying a Fraction by a Fraction

You can use a model (fraction bars) to multiply a
fraction by a fraction.

EXAMPLE 11
Mr. Arif has a large garden. He wants to plant
one-half of his garden with medicinal herbs.
Wild gingers will be planted on one-third of it.
What part of the garden will be planted wild
gingers?

Solution:

The garden planted medicinal herbs is 1 of

2
the whole garden; Colour one-half of the
bar.

Divide the garden for medicinal herbs into

three equal parts. Shade 1 of the coloured
3
part.

The shadowed part is 1 of the whole bar. This

6

part represents the part of the garden that will be

70 / Student’s Book – Fractionss

 planted wild ginger. The area of this part is 1 x
2
1 . Thus, the part of the garden that is planted
3
with wild ginger is represented by
1 x 1 = 1 .
2 3 6

Based on Example 1, the following rule applies.

Multiplying Fractions
To multiply a fraction with a fraction, multiply
the numerators, and then multiply the
denominators.

EXAMPLE 12 Calculate 2 of . 1
3 2

2 of 1 means 2 x 1 = 2 × 1
3 2 3 2 3×2

= 2 = 1
6 3

When the numerator of the first fraction and the

denominator of the other fraction have a common
factor, you can simplify them before multiplying
them.

Evaluate 3 x 4 .
EXAMPLE 13
8 5
Simplify the fractions before you multiply them.

3 x 4 = 3 . 41 Divide the numerator and

th e denominator by 4.
8 5 28 . 5
Wh y?

= 3×1 = 3 Multiply the numerators

2×5 10 and the denominators.

b. Multipliying a Whole Number and a Fraction

Mathematics for Junior High School - Year 7 / 71

 Do you still remember the meaning of 4 x 2? This
meaning also applies in multiplying whole
numbers and a fraction.

Consider the following illustration:

2 2 2 2 2
4× = + + +
3 3 3 3 3
8
=
3
2
= 2
3

When multiplying a whole number with a

fraction, you may convert the whole number to a
fraction having 1 as the denominator, then
multiply the fractions.

EXAMPLE 14 Relation with Real World

Suppose you have 16 marbles. Three-eighths of

the whole marbles are green. How many marbles
are green?

To answer this question, you have to calculate 3

8

x 16.

3 x 16 = 3 x 16 Express 16 as 16 .
1
8 8 1
3 x 16 2 Divide the numerator and
=
18x1
th e denominator by 8.

= 3× 2 = 6 = 6
M ultiply the numerator
1× 1 1 and the denominator.
Simplify.

72 / Student’s Book – Fractionss

c. Multiplying Mixed Numbers

Rini has a big photo album. Eight and one third

pages of the album are still empty. Rini wants to
fill one-half of the empty pages with her favorite
artists’ photographs. How many pages of the
album will be filled with artists’ photographs?

To answer this question, you need to calculate 1

2

of 8 1 or 1 x 8 1 .
3 2 3
Before multiplying a mixed number, you have to
express the mixed number as an improper
fraction.
(8× 3) + 1 25
81 = = .
3 3 3
Then multiply the fractions.
1 x 25 = 25 = 4 1
2 3 6 6

Therefore, as many as 4 1 pages of the photo

6

album will be filled with the artists’ photographs.

You may also illustrate the above case by using

the following model.

8 1 pages
3

Mathematics for Junior High School - Year 7 / 73

 1 of 8 1 pages
2 3

1 of 8 is 4, and 1 of 1 is 1 .
2 2 3 6

Hence, 1 × 8 1 is 4 + 1 or 4 1 .
2 3 6 6

You may also use the model of an area to multiply

mixed numbers.

Draw a quadrilateral with a length of 1 1 cm and a

2

width of 2 1 cm as shown in the following figure.

4

11 × 21 = 1 + 1 + 1 + 1 + 1 + 1 = 33.
2 4 4 2 2 8 8

The area of the quadrilateral is 3 3 cm2.

8

EXAMPLE 15 Find the result of 2 2 × 3 1 .

3 4

74 / Student’s Book – Fractionss

 Solution:

Direction
Write do wn each mixed number
2 2 × 3 1 = 8 × 13
3 4 3 4 as a frac tion.
You could determine
2
Simplify th em by using
the result of 8 × 21 = 8 × 13
2 3 41 the GCF of 8 and 4
by applying the
following method. 2 × 13
= Multiply.
8 × 2 = 16 3×1
8×½ =4
16 + 4 = 20
= 26 = 8 2 Simplify.
Thus 8 × 21 = 20
3 3
2

EXAMPLE 16 Solving Problems Related to the Real World

1
Suppose you can read one-page full of text in
4
hours. At least, how many hours do you need to
1
read 4 pages?
2

Solution:
1 1 1 9
To read 4 pages of the text needs 4 × hours =
2 2 4 8
1 1
hours. So, you need at least 1 hours to read 4
8 2
pages of the text.

d. Dividing Fractions

To understand the meaning of division of

fractions, follow the situations below.

Mathematics for Junior High School - Year 7 / 75

 1. You have 6 candies that will be given to your
friends. Each of your friends will get 2 candies.
How many people will get candies?

Answer: 3

Written as 6 : 2 = 3.

2. Suppose the 6 candies are given to your

friends. Each of them will get 1 candy. How
many people will get the candies?

Answer: 6

Written as 6 : 1 = 6.

3. Suppose the 6 candies are divided so that each of

your friends gets 1 candy. How many people will

2
get the candies?

Answer: 12

Written as 6 : 1 = 12.
2

Notice that:

6 : 1 = 12 relates to 6 × 2 = 12.
2 1

The numbers 1 and 2 have a specific relation, that

2

is, the product is 1. 1 x 2 = 1 .

2

One half or 1 is called the multiplicative inverse of

2

2.

76 / Student’s Book – Fractionss

 Notice that any two numbers whose product is 1
are called the multiplicative inverse to each other.
Find other numbers that are the multiplicative
inverses to each other.

e. Dividing Mixed Numbers

To divide mixed numbers, firstly, express every

mixed number as a fraction and then multiply
them.

EXAMPLE 17 Calculate 2 1 : 3 3 .
4 5
Solution:

2 1 : 3 3 = 9 : 18 Change the mixed numbers.

4 5 4 5
1
Divide the numerator and the
= 9× 5 denominator by the GCF of 9 and 18,
4 182
that is 9.
= 1× 5 = 5
4× 2 8 Find the product.

EXAMPLE 18 Evaluate 10 2 : 3 .
3

Solution:

10 2 : 3 = 32 : 3 Convert the mixed number.

3 3 1
= 32 × 1 Multiply by the multiplicative inverse of 3.
3 3
= 32 × 1 Multiply the numerators and the
3× 3 denominators.
= 32 Write down t he product.
9
= 35
9 Express as a mixed number.

Mathematics for Junior High School - Year 7 / 77

 1. Approximate the results of the following
operations.
1 3
a. +
7 8
1 7
b. 9 -3
11 9
1 1
c. 13 x
2 3
3 1
d. 7 :1
5 2

1
2. Estimate the product of and 248.
5
3
a. Use the result to approximate the product of
5
and 248.
5
b. Explain how to estimate the result of x 55.
8

3. Open-ended . Write two numbers (either

fractions or mixed numbers) and then estimate the
computational result of the two numbers.

4. Which one of the following results is between 6

and 7?
1 1
a. x 14
2 2
15
b. 2 x 3
16
11 24
c. 5 +
12 25

78 / Student’s Book – Fractionss

 8 1
d. 7 -
9 2

5. Reasoning and Communication. A result of

estimation might be less or more than the exact
answer. Which one is better? Explain.

6. Adding or subtracting . Express your

answers in the simplest form.

a. 3 + 7 b. 6 − 2 c. 3 + 5 d. 4 − 4
11 11 7 7 8 8 9 9

f. 7 − 1 g. 3 + 4 h. 5 + 1 i. 5 − 1
10 4 8 5 6 4 6 2

7. Ali bought two watermelons at the market. The

first watermelon weighs 3 kg and the second

4

weighs 2 kg. What is the difference in weight

4
between the first and the second watermelons?

1
8. Writing Illustrate two methods to add to
6
3
.
4

9. Application Tini’s Daily schedule

Tini drew a pie

Studying
diagram to show 1
4 7 Sleeping
how she spends 24
Eating
her spare time 1
8 1
everyday. 3
Others

Mathematics for Junior High School - Year 7 / 79

 a. How many parts of Tini’s after-school time are
used to sleep, eat, and study at school?
b. How many parts of Tini’s after-school time are
used to do other activities?

10. Find the result of the following additions.

a. 8 + 1 2 b. 3 1 + 2 c. 8 1 + 3 3
3 6 5 4

d. 11 3 + 2 1 e. 9 1 + 8 3
8 16 12 4
11. Writing. Describe the method you use to find

the sum of 5 1 + 3 4 + 2 2 + 6 1 .
3 5 3 5
12. Open Question. Write down two mixed

numbers so that their sum is a whole number.

13. Explain why the result of addition of two mixed

numbers is not always a mixed number.

14. Cuisine . To make a kind of cake, we need

1 34 cups of sugar, while another kind of cake

needs 1 12 cups of sugar. Suppose you have about

3 cups of sugar. Is your sugar enough to make the

two kinds of cake? Explain.

15. Find the result of the following subtractions.

a. 7 3 − 3 3 b. 2 5 − 1 1
4 8 16 4

80 / Student’s Book – Fractionss

c. 9 4 − 4 3 d. 21 1 − 11 1 e. 15 11 − 11 1
5 5 8 16 12 2

16. Number Pattern . Write down the two

successive numbers in the following pattern.

9 1 , 8 1 , 7, 5 5 , 4 2 , ....., ......
3 6 6 3

17. Research . Determine the fraction representing

the number of female teachers at your school.
What is the ratio of the female teachers to the
male teachers that teach at year I? What is the
ratio of the female teachers that teach at year I to
all teachers at your school?

18. Find the product of the following

multiplication.

a. 1 of 1 b. 1 of 1 c. 2 × 1
5 2 2 5 5 8

d. 1 of 1 e. 3 × 3
2 3 5 4

19. Evaluate ab if a = 1 and b = 6 .

3 7

20. Garden . Suppose two-thirds of a garden will

be planted grass. The remaining will be planted
plants. Three-fourths of the garden that are
planted plants, will be planted flowers. What is
the part of the garden that will be planted
flowers?

Mathematics for Junior High School - Year 7 / 81

 21. Biology . About 7 of a human body consists
10
of liquid. If the weight of a man is 60 kg, how
many kilograms would the weight of the liquid
be?

22. Find the results of the following

multiplication.

a. 4 1 × 7 1 b. 3 2 × 6 9 c. 6 1 × 7 2
2 2 3 10 2 3

d. 8 1 × 8 1
2 2

23. Writing . List the objects the area of which

you can find their area by the methods of
multiplication of mixed numbers.
4 1 cm
2
24. Geometry Calculate the area of the
2 1 cm
3 quadrilateral as shown on the left.

25. Application . Tine needs 3 3 metres of textile

4
to make a pair of dresses. If Tine wants to make 4
pairs of dresses, at least how many metres of
textile does Tine have to buy?
26. Geometry. Calculate the area of a rectangular

yard with a length of 5 1 m and a width of 4 2 m.

2 3

27. Critical Thinking . Is 2 2 × 4 1 more or less

3 2

than 10? Explain your answer without calculating

the result.

82 / Student’s Book – Fractionss

 1
28. Measurement . How many parts of a rope of
4
metre are there on a 2-metre rope?

29. Find the result of the following divisions.

a. 5 : 3 b. 15 : 3 c. 4 : 3 d.
8 4 9 5

12 : 1
3
30. Suppose you cut 3 apples. Each is cut into
eight equal parts. How many parts of apples will
you get?

Mathematics for Junior High School - Year 7 / 83

84 / Student’s Book – Fractionss